Wayne Dawson, VIP’s Post

Meet Michael P. Johnson - Financial Secretary! What inspired you to pursue a career in law? To fight for justice and create opportunities for overlooked communities, especially Black ones. Where do you work and what is your role? Senior Litigation Counsel at Frassetto LLP What do you like most about being an attorney? Making a tangible difference in people’s lives through advocating for justice, solving complex problems, and guiding clients. What inspired you to join the CABL? To give back and uplift our community by advocating for diversity in the legal profession and supporting the next generation of Black attorneys. What is your favorite thing about being a CABL Board member? Empowering Black attorneys statewide, advocating for supportive policies, and mentoring the next generation. What is something about you that fellow CABL members might be surprised to know? I was born in Mississippi and raised by my Southern mother and grandmother. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To become an expert in AI, focusing on its legal, societal, and business implications on Black and at-risk communities. What advice would you give to the next generation of lawyers? Stay adaptable and curious as the legal field evolves. Build relationships with mentors and colleagues.

Choose powerful thoughts about yourself as a black lawyer and you will be bigger than your circumstances. You will learn to respond to the challenges of being black in a white world, instead of reacting to them. This is how you rise above them. This is how you win. To learn more about building the confidence to succeed as a black lawyer, join my free Webinar: HOW TO BE CONFIDENT This coming Friday 15th November, 2024 at 1pm UK / GMT You'll learn: 1. What Imposter Syndrome is and how you know you have it 2. The common mistakes you make when you want to feel confident 3. The simple way to overcome Imposter Syndrome so you can focus on what works 4. The essential tool that gives you the confidence to get to work 5. The 5 vital steps to building confidence in who you are This Webinar is free, but you must register to attend. Register here https://lnkd.in/em6Jcj-b

Find a Black Doctor now includes board-certified health professionals in all 50 states, improving access to culturally competent healthcare for Black communities. The expanded directory offers a comprehensive list of doctors, dentists, psychologists, and specialists, making it easier for patients to find qualified Black providers. This expansion addresses health disparities and improves patient outcomes by connecting individuals with healthcare professionals who understand their unique needs. https://lnkd.in/gqDs-UVe

There is another way to executive transitions, a way that doesn't put undue burden on Black leaders to justify their existence or prove their worth and capability to funders. I'm really proud of the way Shari Silberstein and I partnered on our transition, and we wrote about it so others might learn. Check out our blog article here: https://lnkd.in/eNX66i7N Equal Justice USA Leading Forward

It is very important for white leaders to understand this and take the lead. Thank you, Jamila and Shari, for this article, which provides an excellent grounding point for leaders who want to do it right. We address these issues and more in our Racial Equity Guide, and at BoardSource, we also are on a similar journey by hiring Monika Kalra Varma, our first BIPOC leader. We also support BIPOC leaders through our BIPOC Leadership Initiative, the Glass Cliff Initiative. https://lnkd.in/eacKX4BE

In the wake of Sonya Massey's tragic death, our hearts are heavy with sorrow and outrage. As we continually discuss public safety strategies, we must confront a painful question: What does "safety" truly mean for Black women who seek protection within their own homes, only to face fatal outcomes from the very individuals sworn to safeguard their lives? We rebuke this state-sanctioned violence; it is unacceptable and intolerable. We say her name, Sonya Massey. We carry her memory, and we remember the countless others who have suffered similar fates. This cycle of trauma and terror is not an incident; it is generational, an echo of heartache that repeats through our communities. In solidarity with the Anti Terror Police Project, we recently gathered for a rally and vigil, creating an altar adorned with flowers as a tribute to Sonya. Holding a rose intended as an offering, I allowed myself to envision a world where Black women are safe, appreciated, cared for, and loved. This fleeting moment of peace only strengthened my determination to transform this vision into reality. We are not seeking excuses. We demand genuine, effective solutions. Our call is for justice, accountability, and the reimagining of a society where communities can thrive in true safety, unthreatened by those meant to protect them. To Sonya's family and to all touched by this and other acts of state violence, we offer our solidarity and love. Even as we grieve, we hold onto hope—a fierce belief that together we can create pathways to healing and construct the safe communities we all deserve. In this moment of reckoning, let us channel our collective pain into strategy, rage into action, and let our cries for change roar until they can no longer be ignored.

Find a Black Doctor now includes board-certified health professionals in all 50 states, improving access to culturally competent healthcare for Black communities. The expanded directory offers a comprehensive list of doctors, dentists, psychologists, and specialists, making it easier for patients to find qualified Black providers. This expansion addresses health disparities and improves patient outcomes by connecting individuals with healthcare professionals who understand their unique needs. https://lnkd.in/gqDs-UVe

Find a Black Doctor now includes board-certified health professionals in all 50 states, improving access to culturally competent healthcare for Black communities. The expanded directory offers a comprehensive list of doctors, dentists, psychologists, and specialists, making it easier for patients to find qualified Black providers. This expansion addresses health disparities and improves patient outcomes by connecting individuals with healthcare professionals who understand their unique needs. https://lnkd.in/gqDs-UVe

Introducing Malcolm's Mandate – a guide for Black professionals to break free from racialized trauma and rediscover inner power. Rooted in healing, empowerment, and truth, this book is a call to action for those ready to reclaim their voice and stand strong amidst systemic challenges. Are you ready to get with the Program? https://lnkd.in/e-G6JvP2

📣 This will be a great panel discussion to mark Black History Month, link below to register for the webinar #Dentons #BlackHistoryMonth #Legal #Webinar